Carthage takes steps to demolish unsafe building

CARTHAGE  Demolition of a dangerous building by the village was delayed last week when the state Department of Environmental Conservation was called in to inspect a suspicious tank in the basement.

Village Attorney Mark G. Gebo said the DEC representative found the tank in the basement of the building to be a monitoring well with no petroleum.

Village President G. Wayne McIlroy said Ronald J. Novak, DEC regional enforcement coordinator, visited 511 Adelaide St. Mr. McIlroy said the 1,000-gallon tank in back of the building has some oil in it and the tank will be removed.

Mr. McIlroy said Mr. Novak suggested village officials document the steps taken in the demolition process.

Village employees have been moving forward with preparation for demolition of the property.

Department of Public Works employees have put up a safety fence around the abandoned warehouse that once housed the Wags Food distribution center and No Trespassing signs were posted.

Community Development Director John F. McHugh has overseen the coordination of engineering services from GYMO Architecture, Engineering & Land Surveying, Watertown, and demolition services from Independent Commercial Contractors, Lorraine.

A notification letter advising of the demolition was sent to surrounding property owners.

Mr. McIlroy said the only response was a request not to remove the trees in front of the building. However, he said, they must be cut down to gain access. After two evidentiary hearings that were not attended by property owner Ricky W. Meyers of Phoenix, the village board declared the building an emergency hazard and ordered its demolition.

Code Enforcement Officer Robert B. Ball determined the building is structurally unsound.

Payment for the demolition in the amount of about $75,000 will come from the village blight and loan funds.

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